Deconstructing F1: The underfloor

The underfloor of a Formula 1 car is a critical aerodynamic device and accounts for about 35 per cent of its overall downforce. With this in mind, AUTOSPORT's technical guru explains how modern F1 teams are utilising the airflow under their cars

During the course of this series of articles detailing different aspects of Formula 1 car design, I have banged on about how important it is to get good quality airflow to the leading edge of the underfloor. And also how the vortex structure induced by the front wing then helps the performance of the underfloor by acting as a skirt to reduce the amount of air spilt under the sides of the floor.

The underfloor is responsible for around 35 per cent of the total downforce produced by the car and the only way that it can do this is by the diffuser accelerating the airflow under the large flat area of underfloor – creating a low pressure over this area.